Under the Brightest Stars

22

22

Bumalik si Santi pagkatapos ng sampung minuto. His eyes went to mine, then to the foods he sent. Hindi ko iyon ginalaw maliban sa tubig kasi nauhaw talaga ako.

"Let's continue," aniya.

We spent another thirty minutes. Panay stretching lang ang ginawa namin. Paulit-ulit ngunit unti-unti ko nang naramdaman ang pag-inat ng mga muscle ko.

Alas tres nang natapos kami. I did not stand up immediately and sat on the mat. For sure I'll end up in bed whole day tomorrow.

"It's normal to feel pain," aniya. "You'll get used to it."

Walang enerhiya akong tumango sa kanya. Tumayo ako at nagpunta sa training bag para kunin ang cellphone. I sent Richard a text that I'm done. Hinayaan ko si Santi na magligpit. My phone rang and I answered it.

"Yes?"

"Wala bang naging problema?" Richard asked on the other line.

"None. Where are you? I'm done here."

"On the way."

I sighed. "Richard, buy me painkillers. Or baka kapag pauwi na lang."

Nagulat ako nang nabitawan na lang bigla ni Santi ang mga fitness mat. Nagulo ito kaya inikot niya na naman ulit.

"Your body aches?"

"Yeah," tugon ko. "Just hurry up."

"Baka ibang training na ang ginawa ninyo riyan, ha?"

Namilog ang mga mata ko. "Richard," saway ko. "Don't think like that. We did not do anything else, my gosh," I whispered.

Natawa si Richard. "Sige, papunta na ako."

"Okay..."

Pinatay ko na ang tawag. I prepared my bag. Nagpunas na rin ako ng towel sa face ko. I noticed that Santi was still undone with the fitness mat. Nagkatinginan kami.

Hindi maalis iyong sinabi ni Richard sa utak ko. Santi's biceps are... my gosh... so defined. Ikaw ba naman ang may ari ng isang gym, diba? But he's just more defined now. Siguro may girlfriend na siya. Wala rin naman kasi akong nakita na wedding ring sa kamay niya, e.

Hindi siya nagsalita at umalis na, mukhang galit pa nga at nagdabog.

Ano na naman ang problema nun? Does he hate me so much that he can't even say goodbye?

Kinuha ako ni Richard sa gym. Suot ko ulit ang cap at sunglasses. Wala na akong panahon para mag-usisa sa buong lugar kasi panay ang yuko ko. I heard the girl from the counter bid goodbye but I only walked straightly.

I was limping when I went inside the car. Kaagad kong hinilig ang ulo para matulog muna ng sandali.

"Don't talk to me about it. It's a complete failure," panguna ko kay Richard.

The ride home was silent. I closed my eyes, attempting to sleep, but I couldn't. Masyado akong hibang at gulat nang maproseso kung ano ang nangyari kanina.

I pitied myself for the attention I seek from him. He doesn't even care at all. Gusto ko lang naman marinig ang side niya. Should I just forget about it and move on? But I know it will forever haunt me if I did not take the chance.

As expected, my body was sore the day after. Nanatili lamang ako sa condo buong araw.

The next days were packed. I was invited in a local magazine for their monthly issue. Even last month, I already know my schedule here in the Philippines so everything is already settled.